15th Battery Massachusetts Volunter Light Artillery
Three Years

 

Acton men who served in the 15th Battery Mass. Light Artillery:

Franklin Gates

 

Regimental history from Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines in the Civil War, compiled and published by the Adjutant General:

The 15th Batty. Mass. Vol. Lt. Arty. was recruited during the winter of 1862-63, partly at the Fair Grounds in Lowell, Mass., and partly at Fort Warren, Boston Harbor. The men were mustered in on various dates, the greater number on February 17, 1863. On March 9, under command of Capt. Timothy Pearson, it left Boston on the ship ZOUAVE and, after touching at Fortress Monroe, proceeded to New Orleans to join the expedition commanded by General Banks.

Disembarking April 9, it was quartered at Apollo Stables. By May 15 it had been partially equipped as light artillery, but on the 20th it was ordered to turn in its horses and equipment and proceed to Brashear City. After about a week at this place it returned to New Orleans, and on June 3 it was sent to garrison two small forts on the road and rail­road to Lake Ponchartrain. Here the detachments remained until December 29 when they left the forts and proceeded to Lakeport.

On January 2, 1864, the battery embarked on the steamer KATE DALE and went on an expedition to Madisonville near the northern boundary of Lake Ponchartrain. After six weeks spent on this steamer about February 15 the battery returned to Lakeport and thence to New Orleans. From May 5 to October 17 the battery was at Terrell's Press. On or about the last named date it proceeded under command of Lieutenant Rowse up the Mississippi to the mouth of White River, Arkansas, and thence on November 7 up the White River to Duvall's Bluff where it remained twenty days. It was then transferred to Memphis, Tenn. where it spent the month of December. About this time, having received a large number of recruits, the surplus was transferred to the 6th Battery.

From January 5, 1865, to February 13 the battery was stationed at Kennerville, La. Toward the last of February it was transferred to Barrancas, Fla., where it was assigned to the 2d Division, 13th Corps which was to join General Steele's expedition against Mobile. Proceeding to Pensacola, March 11, on the 20th the movement toward Mobile began. The 15th Battery participated in the siege of Fort Blakely from April 2 to 9 when the stronghold surrendered, and Mobile itself soon fell into the hands of the Union forces.

On April 20, 1865, the 2d Division, of which the 15th Battery formed a part, pro­ceeded by transports to Selma, Ala., near the centre of the State, where it remained until May 11, then returned to Mobile. Remaining here for about six weeks, on June 30 it turned in its guns and horses and proceeded to Fort Gaines on Mobile Bay. On July 20 it was ordered to Massachusetts. Reaching Readville, Mass., August 1, on the 4th of the month the men were mustered out of the United States service.

 

Regimental history from A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, by Frederick Dyer:

   
Organized at Lowell and Fort Warren and mustered in February 17, 1863. Sailed from Boston on steamer "Zouave" for New Orleans, La., March 9, arriving there April 9. Attached to Defences of New Orleans, Dept. of the Gulf, to July, 1864. Reserve Artillery, Dept. of the Gulf, to February, 1865. Artillery, 2nd Division, 13th Army Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, to August, 1865.

SERVICE -- Duty at Apollo Stables, New Orleans, till May 20, 1863. Moved to Brashear City May 20, thence to New Orleans May 29. Assigned to duty as garrison at forts at Bayou St. John and at Gentilly June 3, to December 29. Moved to Lakeport December 29-31. Expedition to Madisonville on steamer "Kate Dale," serving as a gunboat January 3-15, 1864. Moved to New Orleans January 20. and duty there till October 17, 1864. At Wood's Yard till March 5. and at Terrell's Press till October 17. Moved to White River, Ark., October 17; thence to Devall's Bluff November 7, and to Memphis, Tenn., November 27-December 2. Duty there till January 1, 1865. Moved to Kennersville, La., January 1-5: thence to Greenville February 13, and to Pensacola, Fla. March to Fort Blakely, Ala., March 20-April 1. Occupation of Canoe Station March 27. Siege of Fort Blakely April 2-9. Storming of Fort Blakely April 9. Moved to Selma, Ala., April 20, and duty there till May 11. Moved to Mobile and duty there till June 30. At Fort Gaines till July 20. Moved to Readville, Mass., July 20-August 1. Mustered out August 4, 1865.

Battery lost during service 1 Enlisted man killed and 27 Enlisted men by disease. Total 28.